Spotlight on Denise Picard-Stencer:

1-year post stem cell transplant and enjoying life to the fullest

Editor’s Note: Denise and her husband, Lyle Stencer, sent us a wonderful video a few weeks ago. The video documents Denise’s journey with myeloma in celebration of her first anniversary, post stem cell transplant! It’s amazing to see Denise’s transformation from diagnosis until now. Today, she’s out skiing, snowshoeing, and even did a 1,000km bike ride last summer to raise funds for research. She looks fantastic! Denise and Lyle are honoured to share Denise’s story with you today.

Watch Denise’s journey unfold by clicking on the thumbnail:

Denise's 1 year stem cell transplant anniversary - multiple myeloma

My 1st year anniversary post stem cell transplant! I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma, a type of blood cancer in July 2019, 7 months after many investigations and a lot of acute pain. I was closely followed by my hematologist, Dr Arleigh McCurdy and the hematology health team at the Ottawa Hospital.   After 18 weeks of chemotherapy and radiotherapy, I received my stem cell transplant on February 20, 2020. After my stem cell transplant, I had to be hospitalized for 10 days for pneumonia. This was at the same time that the COVID-19 virus was becoming known in Canada. By the time I was discharged and was able to go home, I weighed 88 pounds.

One year later, I’m thrilled to be back to my regular weight and activities. Just last summer, I biked 1,000 km! I walk 5-10 kms 3 times a week, I snowshoe and cross-country ski.

The science and the healthcare teams including my family physician, the emergency, medicine, radiology, hematology and transplant teams, homecare and community care, palliative care and many others, have given me a second chance to live.

I strongly believe that my positive attitude and my faith in getting over this hurdle have contributed to my recovery. I’ve focused on being grateful for everything life was giving me rather than thinking about what I was losing or at risk of losing. My family and my friends are the most important to me. It is because of their love and unrelenting support that I’ve never lost the hope to survive.

I am very fortunate to be in remission but there is no cure yet for this type of cancer. I am enjoying my life fully and I am grateful for each moment life brings me.   Thank you for giving me this opportunity to share my positive experience with you. My goal is that it will bring hope and courage to those who are living a similar experience, and to their loved ones as well.   Sincerely, Denise

To donate to Myeloma Canada please visit www.myeloma.ca or call us toll-free at 1-888-798-5771. Donate here

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